Drought could drive up the price of California produce sold in Canada. 2:32

The historic and ongoing drought in California could push the price of food up in Canada as soon as this fall.

Sylvain Charlebois, a professor of food distribution and policy at the University of Guelph, said some reports suggest that the domestic price of California produce could go up by 20 per cent or more.

"Since we actually do import well over $5 billion worth of agri-food products every year from California into Canada, we do expect prices for these products to increase as well," he told CBC News.

But Charleobois said how much of an effect that would have in Canada would depend on various factors, including whether importers on this side of the border can find other sources to buy similar products from.

Click on the video above to see a full report from the CBC’s Michelle Cheung.